Method of and apparatus for manufacturing thread or the like



Feb. 2, 1943.

R. F. BERGMANN,

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING THREAD OR THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filegl Sept. 28, 1939 inventor dnorncu' Feb. 2, 1943.

R. F. BERGMANN 2,309,821

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING THREAD OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 28, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 RICHARD E BERGMANN Gttorncu Feb. 2, 1943.

R. F. BERGMANN METHOD OFAND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING THREAD OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 28, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3- 3m: enter mam-neg hw NQT r R. 1 n. m 1

Patented Feb. 2, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANU- FACTURING THREAD OR. THE LIKE Richard F. Bergmann, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor' to Industrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Applicationseptember 28, 1939, Serial No. 296,936 Claims. (Cl. 34-23) This invention relates to methods of and apparatus for manufacturing strip material such as thread, filaments, bands, etc. (hereinafter referred to as thread). More particularly, it relates to methods and apparatus capable of being employed in continuous processes pursuant to which the thread is continuously but temporarily stored in a series of generally helical turns on a plurality of thread-advancing thread store devices. Among other things, the invention involves a system in which a treating medium is circulated through each of at least two difierent thread-advancing thread store devices to which the thread passes in series, in consequence whereof the same'treating medium may be employed to treat the same thread a plurality of difierent times.

The invention has particularly significant advantages when employed in a process in which the thread, while being continuously but temporarily stored on at least two thread-advancing thread store devices, is subjected to-the action of a temperature-changing medium. In such a process, the thread may be subjected to the action of a temperature-changing medium circulated in turn through a plurality of thread-advancing thread store devices on which the thread is stored for treating purposes; for example, for

the purpose of drying the thread, with an intermediate rewetting step, a plurality of different times. The importance of this and other advantages of the invention will be more clearly apparent from the following description of the inven-tion.

For convenience, the invention willbe described in connection with the manufacture of multiple filament viscose artificial silk thread on apparatus similar to that disclosed in copending application Serial No. 275,919, filed May 26, 1939, for Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like (Patent 2,284,497)

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents an end elevation of such apparatus, portions 'of the processing liquid circulation systems being omitted and other parts being broken away for the sake of clearness. Figure 2 represents a sectional elevation on an enlarged scale of a portion of the apparatus of Figure 1, such portion comprising is a sectional elevation on the same scale as Figures 3 and 4 of another type of thread-advancing reel employed for dryingthe thread.

Figure 1 shows an end elevation of a complete machine for continuously manufacturing a plurality of multiple filament viscose artificial silk threads I individually characterized by a low residual capacity to shrink. Each thread is formed by the extrusion of viscose from a spinneret into a suitable coagulating bath contained 'in a trough (not shown) disposed in the hooded upper portion 2 of the apparatus. Each thread passes in sequence to a concatenate series of thread-advancing reels on each of which it is continuously but temporarily stored in a large number of closely spaced generally helical turns which are automatically advanced lengthwise of the reel by the action of the elements thereof.

As shown in Figure 2, thread-advancing reels 4, 5, 6 and l are of cantilever construction, each being supported exclusively from one end thereof. Duringrotation of the reeL'each advances the thread toward its unsupported end in a large, number of closely spaced, generally helical turns.

' On several such reels, particularly those disposed above reel 4, suitable liquid processing operations, such as washing, desulphurizing, etc., are performed on the thread, while on reels 5, 6 and l the thread is dried, remoistened and redried.

From the last reel in the series, the thread passes to a suitable collecting device, such as cap-twister 3, which collects the finished thread in package form. 4

As is apparent from Figure 2, the reels of each series are disposed-in stepped arrangement with the unsupported or discharge end of each preceding reel in opposite relation to the supported or receiving end of each succeeding reel, the unsupported ends of all reels extending in one and the same direction. A plurality of such series of reels are disposed longitudinally of the apparatus on each side thereof, so that the apparatus as a whole has an operating face extending along each of its two sides. Corresponding parts of. all descending series of reels on both sides of the apparatus are in corresponding positions lengthwisegthereof. As shown in Figure 1, the

the last four thread-advancing reels in a single .descending series on the left-hand side of the apparatus. Figure 3 is an end elevation on a still larger scale of one form of thread-advancing thread processing section of the apparatus takes the form of two oppositely extending banks of reels which are inclined toward each other at the upper portions thereof.

The reel '4 of Figure 2 is typical of the reels preceding it in the series, being similarly constructed, arranged and employed. The desired processing liquid is supplied to the reel 4 from a reagent distributor-8 communicating with a conduit 9 which extends longitudinally of the machine, such conduit being formed integrally with the lower portion of collecting trough ll disposed beneath the preceding reel. Collecting troughs II are disposed beneath all reels from which liquid drips from the thread: each such trough extends beneath a horizontal series of corresponding reels on the same side of the apparatus.

The desired processing liquid is applied to the thread on reel 4, and on preceding reels on which liquid is applied to the thread, at the unsupported end of the reel. Under normal conditions of operation, it forms a traveling film of liquid extending uninterruptedly around the entire thread-bearing periphery of the reel. In the apparatus illustrated in the drawings, reel 4 is inclined to the horizontal in order that the film of liquid may travel along the reel from the unsupported end toward the supported end thereof, thus providing a countercurrent flow of liquid which more effectively processes the thread.

These conditions do not occur on reels and 6, but from a constructional standpoint it is convenient to tilt them also.

In the practice of the invention, thread which has never been dried; i. e., thread which is still in a gelatinous state, is subjected to repeated drying with intermediate rewetting on a plurality of reels. However, the idea of continuously drying the thread a plurality of times with intermediate rewetting forms no part of the present invention. but is shown, described and claimed in copending application Serial No. 297,074, filed September 29, 1939, by Hayden B. Kline and Louis S. Fryer (Patent 2,286,213). Rather, the present invention constitutes in a sense an improvement upon the invention disclosed in that application.

In the present embodiment, the thread passin from reel 4 is first substantially completely dried on reel 5, which, being of a metal of good heat conductivity such as aluminum, is advantageously heated by the circulation therethrough of a suitable heating medium. .Just before the thread leaves the unsupported end of reel 5, it is subjected to the action of a small stream of rewetting liquid from a reagent distributor I2 supplied from a conduit 3 forming part of the trough ll disposed beneath the preceding reel 4. The liquid thus applied to the reel is not suillcient in amount to spread over the entire reel, but only enough to wet thoroughly a number of the last few turns of thread thereon.

From reel 5 the wet thread passes to reel 6,

' which, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, constitutes a drip reel. No processing liquid is applied to the threadstored on said reel i; instead, liquid applied to the thread on the P ceding reel 6 is permitted to'drlp from the thread. A substantial length of thread is stored on the reel; consequently, when the-thread reaches the discharge end of reel 6, all portions of the thread have substantially the same moisture content.

In a sense, therefore, said reel 6 constitutes a aln eansead for equalizing the moisture content of the The thread passing to reel 1, being already characterized by a uniform moisture content, may then be uniformly dried by subjecting it to uniform drying conditions. To aid in maintaining the uniformity of drying conditions, an enclosure I3 is provided surrounding each reel I. Said enclosure comprises a stationary'portion l4 and a hinged closure portion Ii, slots 10 and II being tionary portions to permit the thread I to enter 1 and to leave said chamber in passing to and from reel 1 disposed therein. A similar enclosure may, of course, be provided for reel 5, if desired.

Drying reels 5 and I are tapered in the direction of advance of the thread to permit it to shrink during drying, which imparts a low residual shrinkage capacity to the thread.

vAs appears from Figure 2,the invention contemplates the circulation of a liquid heating medium in series through each of reels 5 and I. The heating liquid is supplied from a conduit it which extends lengthwise of the apparatus along each side thereof and serves all drying reels on the same side of the apparatus. It passes from said conduit l8 through control valve l9 and tube 2| to the first drying reel 5, communicating with said drying reel by means of a pipe 22 which is connected to said drying reel and coupled to tube 2|. v

After circulating through drying reel 5, the

heating liquid passes through pipe 23 which is coupled to a tube 24 connected to the entrance port of drying reel I. The liquid circulates through drying reel I, after which it passes through tube 25 which communicates through valve 26 with discharge conduit 21, which, like supply conduit i8, extends lengthwise of the ma-' chine and serves all of the drying reels on one side thereof. By means of valves I 9 and 26 the flow of the heating liquid through reels 5 and I can be easily shut off or the flow through the reels from end to end of the apparatus equalized.

In the apparatus illustrated, such an arrangement of tubes and piping is supplied for each pair of reels 5 and I serving to dry a single thread.

As shown in Figure 1, supply conduits It on opposite sides of the apparatus are connected by a cross pipe 28 which communicates through a pipe 29 with a supply tank 30 disposed at the upper portion of the apparatus. Supply tank 33 is accessible for servicing and inspection purposes from platform ill from which the spin trough, spinnerets, etc., are accessible. It is provided with heating elements 33 heated by steam circulated therethrough by supply pipe 34 and condensate return pipe 35. A valve 32 is provided between each conduit I8 and pipe 23 to regulate pipes 36 to control the flow of heating liquid.

The liquid in sump tank 31 is'removed through pipe 39 which communicates with the centrifugal pump 4| driven by motor 42. Pump 4| forces the liquid from the sump tank 31 upwardly through pipe 43, in which is a valve 44 to control the discharge of said pump, to the supply tank 33.

More liquid is supplied'through said pipe 43 than is removed through-pipe 23, the excess flowing out of tank 33 through overflow pipe 43 which communicates with sump tank 31. Overflow pipe 45 therefore determines the level of the liquid in said supply tank 33; Thus a constant gravity pressure is maintained'on the supply conduits It 33 are preferably suitably insulated to minimiseheatplosses. Suitable control mechanism may be provided in conjunction with steam lines 34 and 35 accurately to control the heat input, and consequently the temperature, thereof. A closed system for the recirculation of the heating fluid is therefore provided.

Each of the various reels employed in the illus-,

trated apparatus comprises two wholly rigid reel members. Each of said reel members is of substantially circular cross section. Each has a periphery made up of a plurality of longitudinally extending bar members which are interleaved with the bar members of the other reel member.

The reel members of the reel rotate about axes 48, which may be termed the eccentric member, is mounted with its axis inclined to but in a plane slightly offset from the axis of reel member 41.

Its periphery is made up of a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members 52 alternately disposed with respect to bar members 5| of concentric reel member 41.

Concentric reel member 41 may be formed, as shown, with the bar members 5| integral with hollow body portion 53. Front and rear closure members 54 and 55, respectively, form fluid-tight junctions with hollow body portion 53. Said members also surround and are supported from hollow drive shaft 49. Cooperating annular sealing members 55 which are wedge-shaped in cross section, disposed in recesses 51 in members 54 and 55, prevent the escape of fluid from the interior of reel'member 41 past the shaft.

A bolt'58, holding a washer 59 against the outer sealing member 56at the unsupported end of the reel, is threaded into a plug 8i secured, as by being welded, in the unsupported end of hollow drive shaft 49. A washer 62, located on drive shaft 49, as by the snap ring 63 shown, bears against the outer sealing member 56 at the rear Supporting member 55 is concave, as shown, in order that the projecting boss- 1| on frame member 69 on which said supporting member 65 is mounted by means of antifriction bearings 12 may be disposed within the reel proper. The purpose is to provide an arrangement in which, even though fluid supply and removal means are associated with the frame member 69 of the reel, the overall length of the reel and its supporting member is only slightly, if at all, greater than that of reels 4 and 5, thus making it possible to substitute one of the reels 5 for any of the reels other than reel 1. Reel 5 is similar to all other' reels illustrated in that its frame member 69 is provided with a flange portion 13 (Figures 2 and 4) adapted to fit closely and be held in a cup 14 fixed to the frame of the apparatus, as shown in Figure 2. Set screws 15 may be threaded into said cup to hold the flange member therein.

Drive shaft 49, on which concentric member 41 is mounted, passes longitudinally thr ugh said frame member .89, being journalled t erein by tudinally extending bar members 5|. -Member spaced bearings 18 and 11. In the reel of Figures 3 and 4, an annular internally toothed member 18 fixed to the inner wall of hollow body portion.

' 53 meshes with external teeth 19 formed on supporting-member 65, thus providing means for driving the eccentric member from the concentric member without contact of the bar members of the reel members; wherefore wear of, the reel members is avoided, Bevel gear 8| fixed to the rear end of drive shaft 49 meshes with bevel gear 82) mounted on inclined drive shaft 83. Each of the other reels is similarly driven from said drive shaft 83.

Reel 5 is heated by the circulation of a suitable heating liquid through the hollow body portion 53 of concentric reel member 41. To thisend, frame member 69 is hollow as shown in Figure 4, being constructed in such a way as to provide two compartments 84 and 85 through which the drive shaft 49 passes. Suitable sealing means 86 are shown as provided in said compartments to prevent the escape of heating fluid from the interior 1 ,of said compartments past the drive shaft, either of the reel member 41, thus locating said reel member endwise on the shaft. Moreover, as the bolt 58 is tightenedfit forces the wedge-shaped sealing members 56 together at both ends of the reel member 41, thus effectively sealing said reel member and providing tight fits at these points on the shaft 49, whereby drivingengagement of member 41.with said shaft is provided.

In the reel of Figures3 and 4, eccentric member 48 is formed of a rigid cagelike member 64 mounted concentrically upon a rotatably mounted supporting member 65, as by bolts 65. Rigid cagelike member 64 comprises the aforementioned bar members 52' which are fixed at their supported ends to an annular external supporting rib 51 by means of which the Icagelike member 84 is mounted on said supporting member 55. An annular reinforcing member 68 is fixed to the bar members 52 at their unsupported ends. Supporting member is 'mountedona frame nfiember. 69 for rotation about an axis disposed in t e desired offset and inclined relation with re? spect to the axis of rotation of concentric member 4".

atmosphere. a

Each seal comprises 'a smoothfaced stationary member 81 against which bears a rotatable bearing member 88 urged thereagainst by a spring 89. Spring 89 is compressed between -a flexible I annular sealing member 9| seated on member 88 and a support 92 rigidly fixed to the drive shaft 49, as by set screw 93. The support 92 in compartment 84 serves seals 86 therein, which prevent the escape of fluid from either side of said compartment; the support 92 in compartment 85, the single seal 85. Said seals aid in locating the drive shaft 49, and consequently the concentric reel member 41, in proper relation to the other parts of the reel.

Compartment 84 is provided with an opening 94 through which the heating liquid is supplied from pipe 22. The heating liquid passes through a port 95 in the wall of hollow drive shaft 49, thence-longitudinally of said drive shaft, and finally through port 96 into the interior of hollow body portion 59 of concentric reel member 41. It passes out of said hollow body portion 53 throug'h an opening 91 in said drive shaft, which opening communicates with an inner tube 98 in said drive shaft.

The plug, 6! at-the unsupported end of drive shaft 49' serves to separate the inner tube 98 and the drive shaft also, to prevent the heating liquid from passing directly from the drive shaft to the tube and vice versa. A similar plug 99 at fluid. The heating liquid passes from said inner tube 98 through port IOI into the rear compartment 85 from which it passes out through opening I02 to discharge pipe 23.

The above-described reel 5 comprises the subject matter of copending application Serial No. 296,937, filed September 28, 1939, by Richard F. Bergman (Patent 2,281,406).

Reel 1, .which differs from reel .5 in the respects hereinafter pointed out, operates in a generally similar manner. It comprises two wholly rigid reel members 41a and 48a. Concentric reel member 41a is mounted concentrically upon and for rotation with hollow drive shaft 49a, its periphery comprising a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members 5Ia. Member 48a, which may be termed the eccentric member, is rotatably mounted with its axes slightly ofiset from and inclined to that of member 41a. Its .periphery is made up of a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending bar members 52a alternately disposed with respect to bar members 5Ia of reel member "a. Y

Concentric member 41a is formed with its bar members 5Ia integral with hollow body portion 53a. Members 54a and 55a, forming fluid-tight junctions with the inner surface of said hollow body portion 53a, close off the ends of said body portion and serve as means for mounting the reel member 41a on drive shaft 49a. Reel member 41a is held on drive shaft 49a. against a collar 63a fixed to said drive shaft by bolt 58a. threaded into the end of said drive shaft. Packing I03 disposed in a recess 51a in closure member 55a, and in a recess in member 54a in which it is compressed between drive shaft 49a and bolt 58a, operates to prevent the escape of heating fluid from the interior of.body portion 53a past the drive shaft 49a. The tight fit of reel member 41a on said drive shaft and the compression afforded by bolt 58a provides rigid driving engagement between said reel member and said drive shaft.

Eccentric reel member 48a is formed of a rigid cagelike member 64a mounted concentrically and rigidly upon a rotatable supporting member 85a by means of bolts 66a. Rigid cagelike member 64a comprises the bar members 52a fixed at their supported ends to an external annular reinforcing rib 61a, by means of which said cagelike member 64a is mounted on rotatable supporting member 65a, and an annular reinforcing rib 68a fixed to the bar members 520. at their unsupported ends. Supporting member 65a is mounted by means of spaced antifriction bearings 12a upon frame member 6911 for rotation about an axis disposed in the desired offset and inclined relation with respect to the axis of rotation of concentric member 41a. An externally toothed member 19a mounted on the rear closure member 55a of concentric reel member 410 engages the teeth of an annular internally toothed member 18a mounted on supporting member 65a.

. Shaft 49a is journalled in said frame member 690. by means of a bearing 16a disposed at the unsupported end of said frame member and by antifriction bearing 'I'Ia supported in a cross member I04 fixed to the spaced, longitudinally extending members I05 forming part of frame member 69a. Shaft 49a is located against end- Wise movement between collar 63a and collar I06 bearing against the inner race of said antifriction bearing 'IIa. It is rotated by means of bevel gear 8Ia mounted on said shaft between longitudinally' extending members I05, which bevel 5 gear meshes, as hereinabove described, with a corresponding gear on inclined drive shaft 83.

Frame member 68a is provided with a flange portion 13a adapted to fit closely in and to be held in cup member 14a fixed to the frame of the apparatus; consequently, reel I is demountably supported by the apparatus.

The means for circulating heating liquid through the reel is generally similar to that already described. A fitting I0'I mounted on the longitudinally extending members I05 of frame member 69a is provided with two compartments 84a and 85a. The drive shaft 49a projects into the forward compartment 84a while the tube 98a, fixed in said hollow drive shaft 09a, extends into the rear compartment 85a. Suitable plugs Glu and 99a are provided in said hollow drive shaft 49a to support inner tube 98a and to prevent liquid from passing directly 'from the hollow drive shaft to the inner tube or vice versa. Suitable sealing means 86a are provided to prevent the escape of liquid from compartment 04a past the drive shaft 4911 or from compartment 85a into compartment 84a.

Heating liquid is supplied as hereinbefore described from the preceding reel 5 through tube 24 to compartment 84a through opening 94a and passes through ports 95a into the space between the inner tube 98a and the inner surface of hollow drive shaft 49a. The liquid passes out of said hollow drive shaft through ports 96a into the interior of body portion 53a of concentric reel memberfla. After circulating through said body portion, the heating liquid passes through ports 91a into the inner tube 90a, from which it is discharged into the rearcompartment 85a.

The heating liquid passes out of said compartment through opening I02a which communicates with discharge tube 25. 1

If, as in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a liquid is employed as the heating medium, the temperatures which it is desired to obtain will largely determine the nature-of theliquid; for example, for temperatures below the boiling point of water, hot water may conveniently be employed as the heating medium. Of course, under suitable circumstances gaseous or vaporous heating media may be employed, such, for instance, as steam. However, better temperature control is obtainable when a liquid heating medium is employed.

In the operation of apparatus of the type illustrated it has been found desirable to produce a temperature on ,the reel devoted to the first drying of a thread; i. e., reel 5, which is substantially above the boiling point of water, this for the reason that beneficial effects are obtainable from a combination of high temperature and the contemporaneous application of a rewetting liquid at the unsupported end of said reel. On the reel reel 1, a temperature substantially below the boiling point of water is'desirable, since more complete shrinkage of the thread is possible under such conditions; Consequently it is beneficial to pass the heating liquid first .to the reel on which the highest temperature is desired. By suitable design, the temperature drop in the heating liquid during its passage through the reel will be such that the liquid will have alowered heat content devoted to the second drying of .the thread; 1. e.,

lower temperature.

If it is desired .to employ a liquid as a heating medium under such circumstances, it is desirable to use one which has a boiling point sufiiciently above that of water to permit the desired high temperature to be attained on reel 5. In such case, a high boiling-point liquid, such as mineral oil, diethylene glycol or .the likemay be employed. The closed recirculation system of the invention provides great advantages under such circumstances in that it prevents the loss or waste of the heating liquid.

It is obvious that the illustratedembodiment of the invention is merely illustrative and that varicus modifications may be made therein without departing from the spiritof the invention. For example, other types of thread-advancing thread store devices than those illustrated may be employed, although those illustrated have been found in practice to be especially advantageous. Moreover, the invention may be employed for uses other than that in connection with which it has been described. For example, the methods and apparatus of the invention may be employed in aprocess wherein a refrigerating rather than a heating fluid is circulated in series through several thread-advancing thread store devices.

The present inventiommoreover, is not restricted to methods or apparatus for the processing of thread per se, but may be employed in connection with the treating of any kind of strip material. In the appended claims the term thread is intended to include, besides thread 'per: se, all types of materialsto the treatment or handling of which the present invention is applicable. It is-intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in-the appended claims, whatever features of patentablenovelty reside in the invention. 1 What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for continuously treating thread comprising at least two thread-advancingthread store devices to which the same thread passes in series, each of said thread store devices being made up of a plurality of interdigitating sets of bar members; means associated with the interior of each of said threadstore devices for circulating a temperature-changing fluid therethrough; and means for passing the same temperaturechanging fluid which has been passed through and has left one of said thread store devices through at least one other of said thread store devices.

2. Apparatus for continuously treating thread comprising at least two thread-advancing thread store devices .to which the same thread passes in 'series, each of said thread store devices being made up'of a plurality of interdigitating sets of bar members; means associated with the interior of each of said thread store devices for circw lating a heating medium therethrough; and means for passing the same heating medium in series through at least two ofrsaid thread store devices, said means including apparatus for reheating said heating medium after it leaves the last of said-thread store devices and recirculating it back to said first thread store device.

3. Apparatus for continuously treating thread comprising at least two hollow thread-advancing thread store devices to which the same thread passes in series, each of said thread store devices being made up of a plurality of interdigitating sets of bar members; supply and discharge ducts associated with each of said'thread store devices for circulating a temperature-changing fluid through the hollow interior thereof; conduit means connected to the supply duct of one of said .thread store devices for supplying the temperature-changing fluid to said duct; conduit means connected to the discharge duct of another same temperature-changing fluid at a lower temof said thread store devices for removing the temperature-changing fluid from said discharge duct; and means connecting the discharge conduit of the former thread store devices with the supply conduit of the latter thread store device.

4. The method of subjecting thread to the action of a temperature-changing fluid comprising the steps of impressing upon a substantially continuous thread the form of a plurality of successive traveling helices each of which is characterized by a plurality of closely spaced turns, subjecting one of said helices to the action of the temperature-changing fluid at a predetermined temperature whereby the temperature of said fluid is altered and thereafter subjecting another of the helices to the action of the temperaturechanging fluid to the action of which the helix mentioned in .the preceding step .has previouslybeen subjected. v a 5. The method described in claim 4 wherein the temperature-changing fluid following the completion of the last step is restored to its original predetermined temperature and the steps are repeated.

6. The method described in claim 4 wherein the temperature-changing fluid is a liquid. 7. The method described in claim 4 wherein the temperature-changing fluid is a liquid having a boiling point above .the boiling water.

8. The method described in claim 4 wherein the temperature-changing fluid is heated to a temperature above the boiling point of water.

9. The method described in claim 4 wherein at P int of least two successive helices are formed in the thread,,.the first ofsaid helices being subjected to the action of a temperature-changing fluid at a predetermined temperature and the last of said helices being subjected to the action of the 

